BETHESDA, Md., June 19,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott
International's award-winning travel program, and The J.
Willard and Alice S. Marriott
(JWASM) Foundation are combining forces to donate $500,000 to World Central Kitchen (WCK), the
non-profit organization founded by renowned chef José Andrés. The
donation is expected to greatly enhance WCK's ability to provide
meals in the wake of natural disasters and crises around the world,
helping those in need receive the nutrition and support they
require during challenging times. The donation builds on the
company's and the Marriott family's longstanding support for
WCK.
Anthony Capuano, President and
Chief Executive Officer, Marriott
International, announced the donation during a taping of
Chef Andrés' "Longer Tables" podcast while both were attending the
Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The pair
discussed a variety of shared passions on the podcast, including
family, travel & culinary trends, and giving back.
The donation is in addition to a Marriott Bonvoy effort underway
in which, for the month of June, Marriott Bonvoy is matching all
point donations to its philanthropic partners, including WCK,
up to 25 million points.
Capuano emphasized the importance of WCK's work: "When there is
a need, José and World Central Kitchen answer the call. We have had
the privilege of working side-by-side with WCK in challenging
environments after devastating natural disasters. Their work to
provide critical humanitarian relief in the form of nutritious
meals to the most vulnerable not only saves lives, it gives
survivors hope. Beyond our donation, matching points enables our
loyalty members to also show their support for this vital
work."
Mieka Wick, CEO, The J. Willard
and Alice S. Marriott Foundation said: "We believe in the
transformative power of food and the critical role it plays in
building and rebuilding communities. World Central Kitchen
exemplifies resilience, and we are honored to support their
extraordinary work and to help extend their reach to even more
communities in need."
World Central Kitchen has been at the forefront of humanitarian
relief, providing millions of meals to survivors of disasters while
helping to rebuild and strengthen communities through food. This
donation will directly impact WCK's ongoing initiatives,
including:
- Emergency Food Relief: Providing hot, nutritious
meals to communities affected by hurricanes, earthquakes, floods,
and other natural disasters.
- Capacity Building: Training and empowering local
chefs and volunteers to establish community kitchens and food
distribution networks.
"We are grateful for the long partnership we have had with
Marriott and in particular, we are so thankful for this generous
donation from Marriott Bonvoy and The J. Willard and Alice S.
Marriott Foundation," said José Andrés, Founder and Chief Feeding
Officer, World Central Kitchen. "We have also been the beneficiary
in the past of the generosity of Marriott Bonvoy members – so the
points donation, matched by Marriott Bonvoy, is also deeply
appreciated. This support is a testament to the power of collective
action in times of need. With this funding, we can continue to
deliver hope, one plate at a time, to communities facing
unimaginable challenges."
Together, Marriott International and the JWASM Foundation have a
long history of supporting WCK's global relief efforts financially
and operationally. After the Haiti
earthquake in 2010, the company helped fund WCK's culinary training
program and hired many of the graduates to work in its hotels. When
Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto
Rico in 2017, the company jumped into action. Beyond a
financial donation and associate volunteer time, Dorado Beach, a
Ritz-Carlton Reserve property, turned over its kitchen to become
home base for the WCK team in providing desperately needed hunger
relief. Marriott continues to support WCK's responses
around the world.
About Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a
portfolio of nearly 8,900 properties across more than 30 leading
brands in 141 countries and territories. Marriott operates and
franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all
around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®,
its highly awarded travel program. For more information, please
visit our website at www.marriott.com. In addition, connect
with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl
on X and Instagram.
About The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott
Foundation
The J. Willard and Alice S.
Marriott Foundation works to create access and expand access and
opportunities in communities by partnering with non-profit
organizations committed to solving today's challenges and improving
the lives of others in service of building and sustaining vibrant
and thriving communities. Founded in 1966, the Foundation invests
to strengthen the vitality of the Washington, D.C. region and
actively engages with the community and partners across industries
and sectors to drive the greatest impact.
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SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.